The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-02-18

struct a neighbor's plans. In the execution OK
this proposed law, under any INTERPRETATION, q
wide field of inquiry would be opened for The
establishment of fact largely within the kpowl-
edge CT the claimants, and there can bo no doubt
that the pensions offered by this bill would not
only stimulate weakness and pretended inca
pactty for labor, but put . further premium on
dishonesty and IneudRGIty. The effect OF new
Invitations TO apply for pensions, Or of new adj
V~Sntages added TO causes for pensions already
existing, is
SOMETIMES STARTLING.
Thus, in March, 1879, large arrearages Of pen-
sions were allowed TO be added to all kinds filed
prior 30 July l, 1880. For the year from July
/, 1879. to July l, 1880, there were flied no.
673 claims, though in the year Immediately
previous there were but 30 32 hled, and in the
year following but 1S,455. While cost ssOuld
not be set against a patriotic duty or the recog-
milton Of q right, still, when a measure proposed
is based upon generosity or motives Of charity,
It IL not amiSs to mediate some what upon the
EXPENSE which il involves. Experience has
demonstrated, l believe, that ali estimates con-
ceTnIng the probable future cost Of a pension
list are uncertain and unreliable, and always
fall far below actual realization. The chairman
Of the hOus committee on pensions calculates
that the number of pensioners under this bill
$4,767.l20. This is upon the theory that
only those who are entirely unable TO
work would be It's beneictaries. Such was
pension law of 1918, much more clearly
stated, 1t seems to me, than in this. When the
law OF 1913 was upon its passage in congress
the uumOeT Oh PENSIONERS TO ne OeneDtGu LhGr6-
by was thought to be ga, but the number of
applications under the act was %, 297, and the
namber Of pensions actually allowed 20, ass
costing, IL is reported, for the first year ST.
S47,9 300 instead of $40,OOO the estimated ex-
pense for that period. A law was passed in
1858 for the benefit of the surviving widows Of
Revolutionary soldiers who were married after
Jan. l, 1900. 1t was estimated that they num-
Oered 300 at the time OF the passage of the act,
but the number of pensions allowed was 3,741
and the amount paid for such pensions during
the first wear Of the ODprQtipn NJ tha not yyaa
$3.50 600 instead of $24, 600, IS had been esti-
mated. l have made no search for other illus
trat1ons, and the above being at hand
are given as tending to show that estt-
mates cannot be relied upon in such cases.
If none should be pensiOned unuer TINS piii, o.
cept those utterly unable to work, l am salts
fed that the cost stated in the estimate referred
to would be many times multiplied, and with q
constant increase from year to year; and II
those partially unable to earn their support
should be admitted TO the privileges of this bill.
the probable increase Of expenses would be al
most appalling. l think it may be said that at
the close OF the Rebellion every Northern state.
and a great majority Of Northern counties and
cities, were burdened with tIxation owing to the
large Dounties paid our soldiers; and the bonded
debt thereby created still constitutes a large
item in the account of the tax-gatherer against
the people. Federal taxation, no less borne by
the people than that levied directly upon their
property, is still maintained at the rate made
necessary by eXigencies Of war. If this bill
should become a law, with its tremendous
ADDITION TO OUR PREVIOUS OBLIGATION,
l am thoroughly convinced that further efforts
to reduce the federal revenue and restore some
part of 1t to our people would, and perhaps
2hould be seriously questioned. II has con
SLantly been q cause Of pride and congratula-
ton to the American citizen that his country Is
not put to the charge of maintaining d large
standing army in time of peace; yet we are now
living under a war tax which has been tolerated
in peaceful times to meet the obligations In
CURED in war. But for years past, in all parts
Of the country, the demand for the reduction Of
the burdens Of taxation upon our labor and pro-
duction has increased in volnme and urgency. I
am not willing to approve a measure presenting
the objections to which this bill is subject, and
which, moreover. will have the effect Of uisap-
pointing the expectation Of the people
and their desire and hope for re:
lief from war taxation in time OF
place. In my last annual message the following
language was used: Every patriotic heart re-
spends to a tender consideration for those who,
having served their country long and we'll, are
reduced to destitution and dependence, not as
an incident Of their services, but with advancing
age or through sickness or misfortune, We are all
tempted by the contemplation OF such q cond1-
tiOn to supply relief, > and are often i'm
patients OF the limitations OF public duty.
Yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this
feeling OF consideration, l cannot rid myself OF
the correction that If these ex-soldiers are to be
relieved, they and their cause are entitled TO the
benefit OF an enactment under which relief may
be claimed as a right, and that such relief should
be granted under the sanction Of law, not in eva
sion of 1t, nor should such worthy objects
Of care, all equally entitled, be remitted to the
uneQuhI operation OF sympathy OF Tue tenuoE
mercies Of social and political influence, with
their unjust determinations" / do lot think
that the objects, the conditions and the Hmita-
tions thus suggested are contained in the bill
under consideration. Iadhere to the sentiments
thus heretofore expressed. but the evil threat
ened by this bill is in my opinion such that,
charged with a great responsibility In behalf OF
the people, / can not do otherwise than to bring
to the consideration of this measure my best
efforts of thought and judgment and perform
my constitutional duty In relation thereto re-
gardless of all consequences except such as APP
pear to me TO be related TO the best and highest
interests of the country.
GRovER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feb. IL, 1887.
The reading Of the message was followed
with stricter attention than Is generally ac-
corded to such documents AZ its conclusion
Mr.. Matson moved that the bill and accom-
panying message be referred to the commit
tee on invalid pensions, promising that they
would be reported back within the coming
week. The motion was agreed to-1S7 TO
81.